What Foods Could Be Damaging Your Teeth?
Now that Halloween is over with, you're likely putting more thought into all of the foods that you and your kids have been eating with more candy in the house. You may even have concerns about how that candy is affecting your teeth. However, having healthy teeth is something that you must be concerned about all year long since the following foods can be just as bad for your oral health.
Fermentable Carbohydrates
Sugar is found in many forms, not just the sugar found in candy. However, crackers have fermentable carbohydrates, which break down into sugars while they are still in your mouth. This makes crackers one of the sneakiest forms of sugar you are likely eating without even realizing it. Saltines, goldfish crackers, potato chips, and bread all have fermentable carbohydrates in them, and when you chew them they become very sticky.
Fermentable carbohydrates tend to get caught in the pits of your teeth, which is much harder to clean out than the sugar left behind from candy. When eating fermentable carbohydrates, it's important that you clean your mouth afterward. It is always a good idea to brush your teeth, but try rinsing your mouth out with water so that you do not have the foods lingering on your teeth.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is essentially candy. It's not healthy, but sticky and high in sugar. You are not making a healthy choice for your teeth when you eat these foods, and it's important that you rinse out your mouth with water when you are done eating them. If possible, stick to eating real fruit to get the nutrition that comes from eating them, as well as much less sugar.
Soda and Juices
The problem with soda is not just the massive amount of sugar found in them, but the acidic nature of the beverage. The acidity of the beverage will cause tooth enamel to break down, and can even cause your teeth to become stained. You can try to get the soda to bypass your teeth by drinking through a straw, but it is best to just stay away from it.
Juices can also have a lot of natural sugar in them, which are just as bad for your teeth. Thankfully, juices can typically be diluted by adding water to them. Consider filling up a glass with half juice and half water to cut those sugars in half. You may even find that you like the juice to not be as sweet as how it is normally made.
To learn more, reach out to a resource like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.
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